Sukarno's book republished

YOGYAKARTA: Gadjah Mada University has republished Di Bawah Bendera Revolusi (Under the Banner of Revolution) authored by first president Sukarno in Yogyakarta on Monday.

Guruh Soekarnoputra, Sukarno's son, said the book had become a taboo to read in the last 40 years.

"It's true there's no official prohibition to read or own the book, but in all libraries and government institutions, the book has vanished," said Guruh in his speech during the book launching and discussion at the university's campus.

Written by Sukarno when he was in exile at the age of 20, the book is a collection of some of his ideas and speeches, particularly on politics and freedom.

He said the Bung Karno Foundation republished the book in the hope that the younger generation could learn something. It would be a pity, he added, if the first president's thoughts and views simply vanished.

Some of the thoughts, he added, looked far into the future, such as his opinion on Islam. "Even at that time, Sukarno discussed Ahmadiyah, which is currently in the spotlight," Guntur said. -- JP

The Ahmadiyah organization has recently come under fire after the Indonesian Ulema Council issued a fatwa against their teachings. -- JP